French Chief Epidemiologist: Obesity Will Increase Risk of Contracting Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic is one disease that we never expected. As it is still a mystery to our scientists, they are still in the midst of getting to know the coronavirus.

According to Reuters, the French Chief Epidemiologist, Professor Jean-François Delfraissy has said that obesity will increase the risk of people contacting Covid-19. (Epidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They seek to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community education and health policy.)

Professor Delfraissy also expressed his concern and said that the United States of America is particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 as they have high-levels of obesity there. The professor spearheads a scientific council that advises the French government on the pandemic and has led French research into Ebola and AIDS back in the days.

The professor said that as many as 17 million of France’s 67 million citizens are seriously at risk from the Covid-19 because of advance age, existing illnesses and obesity.

“This virus is terrible, it can hit young people, in particular obese young people. Those who are overweight really need to be careful.”

Delfraissy mentioned that the mortality rate of young people with Covid-19 is at 2% but when they are more fragile (obese and/or with a pre-existing condition), the mortality rate rises to 14%. He added that in France’s case, they are still very far away from achieving herd immunity (50% to 60% of the population).

“Initial data show that the number of people who may have developed immunity is lower than we imagined, about 10-15%.”

Yesterday (8th April), the Malaysian Ministry of Health has announced an addition of 156 new cases bringing the total number of cases to 4,119 cases. 166 cases have been discharged and the total number of patients discharged since February is 1,487 cases. So far, there have been 65 deaths.

Well, this is certainly new information. We hope that everyone will be able to stay clean, stay safe and stay vigilant during this MCO.

Also read: Take Note: PDRM Will Close These 5 Roads In Petaling Jaya On 10th April